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Background/Objective: Frailty is a growing public health challenge in Japan's rapidly aging population, where 28.8% are aged ≥ 65. While multicomponent interventions have shown potential in preventing frailty, traditional face-to-face programs face accessibility challenges. This study evaluated the feasibility and short-term changes of an online multicomponent intervention on frailty-related factors among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: In this single-arm feasibility study, 132 participants (mean age 75.7; standard deviation 4.8 years, 65.2% women) completed a six-week online intervention combining exercise, nutrition education, cognitive activities, and the Coimagination Method to foster social connections, meeting weekly for 75 min sessions in groups of up to 10 participants. Results: The intervention demonstrated feasibility with a 96.4% retention rate and a 94.0% average participation rate. While no significant changes were observed in physical activity levels, autonomic nervous system indicators, or cognitive function, carotenoid scores and hemoglobin concentration improved significantly, with more pronounced improvements among women than men. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the high feasibility of online multicomponent interventions for older adults and suggests potential benefits for nutritional status markers, particularly among women. These findings indicate a promising and accessible approach to frailty prevention, though randomized controlled trials with longer intervention periods and direct frailty assessments are required to establish effectiveness conclusively. Study Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000053089). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy is well documented as an effective treatment option for severe spasticity. Before ITB implantation, trials are conducted to evaluate efficacy, safety, and candidate suitability. While many centers conduct ITB trials, appropriate physical assessment has not been fully established. This study aimed to identify useful physical assessments for ITB trials in spastic paraparesis., Materials and Methods: Patients with spasticity who experienced paraplegia for at least 12 months and underwent ITB trials in Chiba University Hospital were included. Physical functions were assessed before ITB administration and 4 hours after ITB injection on each day of the ITB trial. Physical assessments included targeted neurological and musculoskeletal tests (modified Ashworth scale, deep tendon reflexes, clonus, active range of motion, and manual muscle test) and mobility tests (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test [TUG], 10-Meter Walk Test, and step length)., Results: A total of 22 patients underwent ITB trials. Among the physical assessments, the Modified Ashworth Scale, reflexes, clonus, active range of motion at hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion, TUG, and step length showed significant differences between the assessments conducted before and during ITB trials. Conversely, active range of motion in most joints, the manual muscle test, and the 10-Meter Walk Test did not show significant differences. The total score of the Berg Balance Scale did not show significant differences, whereas only the item of "placing alternate foot on stool" was significantly different., Conclusions: Spasticity assessments, including the Modified Ashworth Scale and reflexes, and mobility assessments such as TUG and step length, were useful for detecting the effectiveness of ITB screening for spastic paraparesis. The TUG may be particularly suitable for detecting effects, as it is a quantitative and reliable measure that reflects actual movement in daily living activities., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors reported no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 International Neuromodulation Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bioassay-guided isolation of a dihydroxy flavone from the cell extract of Penicillium EU0013 was carried out using preparative LCMS and the structure was interpreted using 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The fungus was fermented in three different nutrient media i.e. Glucose Nutrient Broth, Glucose Peptone Yeast Broth, and Yeast Extract Broth and the cell extract was obtained using organics. Comparative LCMS profiles of the fungus confirmed the enhanced production of dihydroxy flavone in GPYB media. In this study, the pathogenicity of the dihydroxy flavone is reported for the first time against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici , wilt causing pathogen of a tomato plant. In MIC experiments, the compound inhibited the pathogen at 80 µg mL -1 . Molecular docking studies of the compound with Fol tomatinase showed five binding interactions. These docking studies may help explore dihydroxy flavones as a lead for developing new fungicides to prevent wilt disease in tomatoes.